Matt Lauer spoke out for the first time in a statement on Thursday morning after being fired from NBC and the "Today" show.

"There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions," said a statement from Lauer read on "Today."

In the statement, Lauer apologized to "the people I have hurt." He also said that some of the stories about him are "untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed."

A statement from Matt Lauer: “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions...” pic.twitter.com/f93rHXqKQD

Lauer's former "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie read a statement from Lauer at the top of Thursday's show.

Lauer was fired on Wednesday for what NBC called "inappropriate sexual behavior" with a colleague.

Hours after the firing, the trade publication Variety posted what it said was a two-month investigation that included dozens of interviews with current and former staffers who asked to remain anonymous.

Among other things, Variety reported allegations that Lauer once gave a colleague a sex toy with an explicit note about how he wanted to use it on her; that he exposed himself to another female co-worker; that he would question female producers about their sex lives; and that he would talk about which co-hosts he would like to sleep with.

You can read Lauer's full statement below:

"There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.

Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.

Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and I'm committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It's been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace."